About two months ago, an impromptu video I shot at CES 2012 went somewhat viral. The reason for its relative popularity was because Popular Science selected it to be part of their YouTube channel. Why it was picked up by Popular Science remains a mystery. Still, based on the number of YouTube “likes” versus “dislikes”, the message of the video must have overpowered the poor production values of this impromptu, one-man production.

So, knowing it would be on the television channel at the MTA Annual Convention, I felt inspired to put more effort than normal in the creation of a video explaining the context of my viral video. It was fun to play with the green screen and superimpose my face on images of robots (the little butler-like devices carrying trays) and on an exoskeleton. Whether the above video goes viral, remains to be seen, but it was fun to produce and it is always interesting to ponder the future that seems to finally be the present.

Well said, Shelley. According to the Austian economists’ and their idea of creative destruction, obsolete jobs will be replaced by new jobs, such that employment should continue to grow and standards of living should rise because of improved productivity.

Will this still be true in a world where labor is replaced by machine at such a rapid pace?

In many ways, the quality of life seems to be improving, but are the jobs being replaced? Is some of the unemployment we are seeing, structural in nature and will education be enough to make up the difference? It seems like there is a gap of those who are working and those who aren’t working or are underemployed. Those who are employed are working harder than ever (and more concerned about losing their jobs).

As those who work become even more efficient through their ex-digital enhancements, it seems like even fewer humans be required to fulfill the needs and wants of the entire population.

A big question becomes how does society organize its economy in a world where 1% (pick a number) can fulfill the needs and wants of the rest of humanity?

Of course beyond the pure exo-digital enhancements, the physical enhancements that will allow some to be “super human” and sort of a man-machine will have a huge impact on society and the economy (imagine the health care questions of whether an exo-skeleton is covered by health insurance).